E 3AWACS Overview

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Backgrounder

Boeing Defense Space & SecurityP.O. Box 516

St. Louis, MO 63166www.boeing.com

E-3 Airborne Warning and Control

System (AWACS)

Description and Purpose:E-3 707AWACS represents the worlds standardfor airborne early warning and control systems. E-3 fills the needs of both command and control (C2) functions for tactical and air defenseforces. The E-3 offers superior surveillance capabilities. Equipped with a look-downradar. The AWACS can separate airborne targets from ground and sea clutter returns. Italso can detect and track both air and sea targets simultaneously. AWACS has earnedthe reputation as an international keeper of the peace.

Customers:The first E-3 entered U.S Air Force service in 1977, preceded by more than 10 years ofcompetitive fly-offs, prototype design and development. The last of the 34 U.S. AWACSaircraft was delivered in 1984. E-3s are also in service with NATO (17), the UnitedKingdom (7), France (4) and Saudi Arabia (5).

Miscellaneous:

In its tactical role, the E-3 provides quick-reaction surveillance and C2 necessary tomanage both tactical and defensive fighter forces. The E-3 can detect and track hostileaircraft operating at low altitudes over all terrain, and can identify and control friendlyaircraft in the same airspace. The AWACS' mobility allows rapid deployment in anymilitary action, regardless of intensity.

In its strategic defense role, the E-3 provides the means to detect, identify, track andintercept airborne threats.

Throughout its history AWACS has undergone extensive enhancements. Fleets from theU-S, NATO, United Kingdom and France have upgraded their communications,

computers and navigation.

One of the most extensive programs involved the radar system. The Radar SystemImprovement Program (RSIP) improves E-3s radar by increasing the sensitivity of thepulse Doppler radar so the aircraft can detect and track smaller targets over a longrange. It also improves the radars counter-countermeasures capability (making it harderto jam the system), upgrades the radar operators console, replaces the radars existingcomputer with a new high-reliability multiprocessor and rewrites the radar software tomake it easier to maintain and enhance in the future. The U-S, NATO, the UnitedKingdom and France have installed RSIP into their fleets.


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In November 1997, Boeing received a contract to develop and test a mission systemsupgrade for the NATO E-3 fleet. Under the engineering, manufacturing and development(EMD) contract, Boeing supported by subcontractors from participating NATO nationsintegrated major system-related enhancements to computers, displays, communications,navigation and target identification.

Major mission system enhancements were installed on the first of 17 NATO AWACSaircraft as part of the $1.32 billion Mid-Term Modernization program. EADS, assubcontractor to Boeing, performed the work in Manching, Germany. The work wascompleted in November 2006.

The entire fleet was upgraded in November 2008. Additionally, Boeing also upgraded twoAWACS mission simulators into the Mid-Term configuration.

The enhancements provide an improved picture of the battlespace with the integration ofdata from various sensors on board the AWACS, as well as from other sources, and an

increased capacity in the number of targets it can track.

The capability means increased interoperability with more assets including other AWACSor Airborne Early Warning and Control fleets, ground stations, fighter aircraft, UAVs,ships and satellites and is combined with an updated Identification Friend or Foe system.

The largest block upgrade in the history of the U.S. Air Force's AWACS fleet wasvalidated during a four year System Design and Demonstration (SDD) contract.

Under Block 40/45, mission computing upgrades were tested in the avionicsdevelopment laboratory while integrated modeling and simulation testing wasaccomplished at Boeing's Virtual Warfare Center in St. Louis. Also, Test System 3(TS-3), an AWACS test aircraft, was retrofitted with the new missioncomputing hardware and software, mission consoles, and upgradedelectronic support measures equipment for the flight test portion of the program.

As part of the SDD contract, AWACS Block 40/45 Mission Systems flight testing on TS-3began in April of 2007 and was completed in July 2008. Test data collected indicated theBlock 40/45 system met or exceeded all its Key Performance Parameters and TechnicalPerformance Measures.

Boeing received a Low Rate Initial Production contract for three US AWACS aircraft in2009. Modification of the first AWACS aircraft into the 40/45 mission system by Air Forcepersonnel began at Tinker AFB, Okla. in Nov. 2010 and was completed during the 3 rdquarter of 2011.

A $197 million follow-on contract for three more aircraft was awarded to Boeing in early2011. The new agreement covers ship-set hardware, installation support, ProductionQualification Testing, training equipment development and logistics support.

The enhancements are designed to increase AWACS mission execution capability,effectiveness, and reliability while lowering lifecycle costs. 40/45 will give the warfighter


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capabilities required to more efficiently provide airborne surveillance and air battlemanagement well into the 21st century.

These upgrades dramatically enhance the capability of the US AWACS fleet making it aprime catalyst for network-enabled capability and an extraordinary force multiplier across

the entire operational theatre.Block 40/45 will give the warfighter capabilities required toprovide airborne surveillance and battle management well in the 21st century.

Another upgrade to the U.S. fleet was completed in 2009. Boeing installed satellitecommunications and air traffic management upgrades. Enhanced satellitecommunications will boost the fleets capability by providing crews with multiple channelsfor voice and data. This improves the AWACS systems ability to communicate with otherAWACS aircraft, platforms and ground stations.

The Global Air Traffic Management upgrade permits AWACS to efficiently operate incongested airspace worldwide, especially in Europe and the East coast corridor of the

U.S., by allowing the AWACS to fly in closer proximity to other aircraft. Additionalenhancements include a traffic collision avoidance system, which sounds an alert andprovides a message climb or descend to the AWACS flight crew in order to prevent acollision.

Boeing received a $368million Engineering, Manufacturing and Development (EMD)contract in May 2012 to develop a design that modernizes the flight deck and avionics ofthe U.S. and NATO E-3 707 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraftfleet.

The contract, awarded by the Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom Air Force Base,

Mass., is the second phase of a cooperative program between the U.S. Air Force andNATO. The initial phase included subsystem requirements reviews completed in March2012.

Under the EMD contract, Boeing will integrate new and existing avionics andcommunications systems; develop a design to install the new equipment; upgrade oneaircraft for each AWACS fleet; flight-test the new systems; develop logistics support data;and train flight crews and maintenance personnel.

The move from analog systems to a digital flight deck will enable the U.S. and NATOAWACS fleets to meet current and identified future air traffic management requirementsfor flying in world wide airspace. They also provide growth capability for any futurerequirements and solve the problem of diminishing manufacturing sources for flightavionics.

The upgraded flight deck will feature five main glass displays, offering the pilot and co-pilot user-friendly and customizable engine, navigation and radar data. The upgrade alsowill result in a cost savings in personnel, because the flight deck crew will be reducedfrom four to three.

Installation is scheduled to begin on the NATO AWACS aircraft at a Boeing facility inSeattle during the third quarter of 2013. Modification of the U.S. AWACS begins in 2014.


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Both will be completed by the end of 2015. Production contracts for the remaining aircraftin the fleets will be awarded later.

Rockwell Collins will supply the flight management system suite, including glass displaysand air-data and flight-management computers. Other suppliers include Telephonics of

New York, Thales of Belgium, EMS of Canada and Raytheon of Maryland.

The Saudi AWACS fleet also is undergoing a major upgrade to its communications. The$49.2 million contract, including options, provides for Link 16 capability, a secure, jam-resistant, digital data link that allows military aircraft, ships and ground units to exchangetheir tactical pictures din real-time. Link 16 also supports the exchange of text messagesand imagery data and provides additional channels for digital voice. The modification wascompleted Dec. 2009.

In June 2012, the U-S Air Force has exercised options authorizing Boeing to upgradethe surveillance radar on three additional Saudi AWACS bringing the total to four

aircraft in the fleet. The fifth and final AWACS radar upgrade contract option isexpected to be exercised in future.

Under the exercised options, worth approximately $67 million, Boeing will install andcheckout Radar System Improvement Program (RSIP) kits. These kits consist of a newradar computer, radar control maintenance panel and software upgrades to the radarand mission system program. Work on AWACS aircraft No. 2 begins next year at theAlsalam facility in Saudi Arabia with the last aircraft upgrade scheduled to be completedin 2015.

General Characteristics:

E-3 Specifications (707 Platform)

Primary function: Airborne surveillance, and command, control andcommunications.

Powerplant: Four CFM-56-2 turbofan engines -- 24,000 lb. thrust (foreign-military-sale aircraft); four TF-33-PW-100 A turbofan engines --21,000 lb. thrust (U.S./NATO aircraft).

Dimensions: Airframe -- span 44.43 meters/145 feet, 9 inches; length 46.62meters/152 feet, 11 inches; radome height: 12.5 meters/41 feet,9 inches.

Radome: Diameter 9.1 meters/30 feet; thickness 1.8 meters/6 feet; abovefuselage 3.35 meters/11 feet.

Speed: More than 800 kilometers per hour/500 miles per hour.

Aircraft ceiling: More than 10,670 meters/35,000 feet.

Endurance: More than 11 hours (unrefueled).


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Armament: None.

Range: More than 9,250 kilometers/5,000 nautical miles.

Crew: E-3A 17 (four flight crew, 13 AWACS specialists).E-3B&C 21 (four flight crew, 17 AWACS specialists).

Max. takeoff weight: 151,955 kilograms/335,000 pounds.

Worldwide E-3 Fleet

United States 33* Saudi Arabia 5NATO 17** France 4United Kingdom 7

* An E-3 crashed Sept. 22, 1995 in Alaska, reducing the U.S. fleet by one.** A NATO E-3 crashed after an aborted takeoff on July 14, 1996 in Greece. 737-700 increased gross weight (IGW) airframe (Boeing Business Jet 1 configuration)

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Contact:

Dave SloanBoeing Military [email protected]

June 2012
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

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E 3AWACS Overview